What is the leading cause of vaginal dryness?
Low estrogen can contribute to vaginal dryness. Your diet and use of certain medications are also important factors. In fact, any medications that cause dry eyes and dry mouth have a similar effect on the vagina. Estrogen levels in your blood vary during the month. Each period of your menstrual cycle will follow a common pattern.
Vaginal walls hold a thin layer of moisture. As a result, this moisture helps sperm travel and survive during sex. As we age and our estrogen levels decrease, vaginal walls thin, and moisturizing cells decrease. This is dryness.
Symptoms of vaginal dryness
Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is a common, underreported condition. It’s associated with decreased estrogen in vaginal tissue. Symptoms include dryness, irritation, soreness, and painful intercourse with urinary frequency, urgency, and urge-incontinence.
Causes
Vaginal dryness can be a problem for women at any age. It occurs more frequently in older women, particularly after menopause. Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycles. In fact, it’s diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period.
Don’t ignore the pain
Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) is thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls that may occur when your body has less estrogen. Vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause. For many women, vaginal atrophy not only makes intercourse painful but also leads to distressing urinary symptoms.
Treatment for vaginal dryness
A low-dose vaginal estrogen cream, tablet, or ring, to reinvigorate vaginal tissues. Even if you’re using systemic hormone therapy pills or patches, your doctor might recommend a low-dose vaginal estrogen treatment if vaginal dryness and related symptoms persist.
FemTouch
Decreased estrogen levels may result in thinning of your vaginal walls. So that thinning can, in turn, cause urine leakage ( urinary incontinence), and make sexual intercourse painful, affecting intimacy between partners. Then your quality of life suffers! Younger women may experience symptoms following prolonged breastfeeding or progesterone-only contraception. Other factors can be premature or induced menopause and extended periods on cancer medications like Tamoxifen.
The ideal solution?
Lumenis FemTouch is a non-surgical CO2 laser procedure. FemTouch provides very gentle controlled remodeling of the vaginal lining. Youthful vaginal tissue is usually elastic and spongy. When the tissue becomes thin and taut or lax, it may also be dry and itchy. This may result in predisposing you to vaginal and urinary tract infections. Restore your vaginal tissue to its self-lubricating and flexible best and improve bladder control. Rely on FemTouch!
Where are we located?
Call 281-298-5476 to book your free consultation with Dr. Nangrani and our Spa Director. Together, you will discuss your expectations and design your treatment plan.
Woodlands Functional Family Medicine is minutes from I-45 (Houston’s North Freeway) in The Woodlands. We look forward to seeing you soon!
